Pentagon chief announces review of US forces in Europe, criticizes NATO allies

Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth has announced a comprehensive six-month review of American forces stationed in Europe, emphasizing that its outcome hinges on how swiftly European NATO allies increase their commitment to their own defense. Speaking in Brussels on June 18, 2026, Secretary Hegseth sharply criticized member nations for insufficient defense spending, their migration and gender equality policies, and their reluctance to facilitate U.S. operations against Iran by denying access to bases and airspace.

Hegseth called for a transformation of the alliance into "NATO 3.0," envisioning a more robust military coalition capable of deterring threats independently, rather than depending primarily on American security guarantees. He warned that some allied nations might "fail" this upcoming review, signaling a significant shift in Washington's expectations for burden-sharing within the 32-member organization.